Structure of a pad for use as an automobile mat or a sole

ABSTRACT

A structure of a pad which includes a body portion formed with a plurality of inverted recesses surrounded by continuous walls, each of said recesses having a relatively larger opening at a top end and a relatively smaller opening at a bottom end, and a plurality of protuberances each formed on an intersection of said continuous walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a structure of a pad which can prevent the automobile occupant's shoes from slipping and collect the sand and dirt from the automobile occupant's shoes thereby making it suitable for use as an automobile mat. Further, the pad can provide air convection to the foot thus making it fit for use as an insole.

(b) Brief Description of the Prior Art

It has been found that the conventional automobile is simply made of solid plastic sheet with a plurality of plastic piles thereon. However, such an automobile mat is only designed for removing the sand and dirt form the automobile occupant's shoes, but cannot be used for collecting the sand and dirt thereof. Accordingly, the sand and dirt will be scattered everywhere in the automobile. In addition, it is difficult and inconvenient to clean such an automobile mat. Further, the prior art sole is a solid member and so air convection cannot take place since there can be no massive transfer of material. Hence, soles made of porous material have been developed to meet this need. However, such soles cannot provide sufficient air convection and are still unsatisfactory in use.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a structure of a pad which can obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention related to a structure of a pad which includes a body portion formed with a plurality of inverted recesses surrounded by continuous walls, each of said recesses having a relatively larger opening at a top end and a relatively smaller opening at a bottom end, and a plurality of protuberances each formed on an intersection of said continuous walls.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a structure of a pad which can prevent the automobile occupant's shoes from slipping and collect the sand and dirt from the automobile occupant's shoes thereby making it suitable for use as an automobile mat.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a structure of a pad which can provide air convection to the foot thus making it fit for use as an insole.

The foregoing objects and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the structure of a pad according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of the pad on which is adhered a non-permeable sheet;

FIG. 2B illustrates the working principle of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the pad according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates the working principle of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the pad according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates the working principle of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the pad according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a top plan view of the pad according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a top plan view of the pad according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a sectional view of the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a top plan view of the pad according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the pad according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9B is a sectional view of the eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, the pad according to the present invention comprises a body portion 10 made of a material with suitable stiffness. The body portion 10 is formed with a plurality of iriverted conical recess 11 which are surrounded by continuous walls 12. The inverted conical recess 11 has a relatively larger opening 111 at the top and a relatively smaller opening 112 at the bottom. A protuberance 113 is formed on the top of the intersection of the continuous walls 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a non-permeable sheet mad of composite material is adhered to the bottom of the body portion 10. Then, the body portion 10 is severed into required shape for arranging in a car.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the lower end of the inverted conical recess 11 does not go through the body portion 10. When the present invention is used as a mat in a car and when the shoe steps of the body portion 10, the protuberance 113 will remove the sand and dirt away from the bottom of the shoe and the sand and dirt will be collected in the recess 11. The sand and dirt can be removed from the body portion 10 simply by turning it up side down and then tapping it and/or flushing it with water.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, a permeable sheet 30 made of composite material is adhered to the bottom of the body portion 10 and then the body portion 10 is turned up side down so that the lower opening 112 is located at the upper position while the upper opening 111 and the protuberance 113 are located at the lower position. The present invention is now fit for use as an insole. As can be seen, the body portion 10 is supported by the protuberances 113 thereby providing a space between the body portion and the inner bottom of a shoe, so that when a foot steps on the body portion 10, the pressure will force air to go through the upper and lower openings 111 and 112 and therefore providing air convection for the foot.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the body portion 10 is formed with a plurality of inverted triangular recesses 11 each with an upper opening 111 and a lower opening 112.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the body portion 10 is formed with a plurality of inverted rectangular recesses 11 each with an upper opening 111 and a lower opening 112.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the body portion 10 is formed with a plurality of inverted hexagonal recesses 11 each with an upper opening 111 and a lower opening 112.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the body portion 10 is formed with a plurality of inverted rhombic recesses 11 each with an upper opening 111 and a lower opening 112.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the body portion 10 is formed with a plurality of inverted circular recesses 11 each with an upper opening 111 and a lower opening 112.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A structure of a pad comprising a body portion formed with a plurality of inverted recesses surrounded by continuous walls, each of said recesses having a relatively larger opening at a top end and a relatively smaller opening at a bottom end, and a plurality of protuberances each formed on an intersection of said continuous walls.
 2. The structure of a pad as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a non-permeable sheet adhered to a bottom of said body portion.
 3. The structure of a pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recesses do not go through said body portion.
 4. The structure of a pad as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a permeable sheet adhered to a bottom of said body portion.
 5. The structure of a pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recesses are triangular in shape.
 6. The structure of a pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recesses are rectangular in shape.
 7. The structure of a pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recesses are hexagonal in shape.
 8. The structure of a pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recesses are rhombic in shape.
 9. The structure of a pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recesses are circular in shape. 